Blockchain's New Power Play: P2P.org Joins Canton's Validator Circle

P2P.org has joined the Canton Network as a validator, marking a significant step in the development of institutional blockchain infrastructure. The Canton Network, a blockchain platform designed for institutional finance, supports the tokenization of real-world assets and has over $4 trillion in tokenized assets under management. As a validator, P2P.org will operate nodes that verify and record transactions, contributing to the network's security and efficiency. The platform, launched in May 2023, emphasizes regulatory compliance, interoperability, and privacy, aligning with the needs of institutional stakeholders in the financial sector.

P2P.org, a staking infrastructure provider managing over $10 billion in assets across more than 40 blockchain networks, has become the latest major player to join the Canton Network. This move positions the firm alongside notable financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Citi, Santander, Bank of America, HSBC, and BNP Paribas. Jonathan Reisman, a product manager at P2P.org, emphasized the importance of blockchain infrastructure tailored to institutional requirements, noting that many blockchains are not designed with these needs in mind. He highlighted how platforms like Canton Network enable secure trading, asset tokenization, and innovations such as BTC wrapping in a manner aligned with institutional standards.

The Canton Network distinguishes itself from traditional proof-of-stake blockchains by rewarding participants through its native token, Canton Coin. Unlike systems that distribute rewards via staking yields, Canton allocates 35% of its token distribution to infrastructure providers, 50% to application developers, and 15% to users. This model is intended to align rewards with network activity and engagement. Each application on the network also has the flexibility to define its own level of openness and confidentiality, further enhancing its adaptability for institutional use cases.

In parallel, broader trends in institutional staking have been gaining momentum in 2025. Protocols such as Lido have launched upgrades like v3 and “stVaults” to meet institutional demand, while Anchorage Digital has expanded staking services for tokens like Starknet’s STRK. These developments reflect a growing push by institutions into public blockchains, driven in part by regulatory developments in the U.S. In August 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued guidance on liquid staking, clarifying that receipt tokens derived from staking do not constitute securities under certain conditions. This clarification has been welcomed by industry stakeholders as a win for both DeFi and institutional participants.

The SEC’s 2025 guidance has provided much-needed clarity on the regulatory treatment of crypto staking, distinguishing between legitimate protocol staking and activities that resemble securities offerings. Solo staking, delegated staking, and custodial arrangements tied directly to network consensus mechanisms are now officially recognized as non-securities. This framework has reduced legal uncertainty for validators, node operators, and protocol developers, fostering a more stable environment for innovation. Meanwhile, activities like yield farming, opaque DeFi staking products, and centralized lending disguised as staking remain outside the scope of regulatory protection. This distinction underscores the SEC’s focus on ensuring that staking remains aligned with blockchain consensus mechanisms rather than speculative investment practices.

The inclusion of major banks like HSBC and BNP Paribas in the Canton Foundation further underscores the network’s institutional credibility and strategic importance in the tokenization landscape. These banks have joined the governance body to influence the network’s direction and ensure regulatory alignment. Hubert de Lambilly of BNP Paribas and John O’Neil of HSBC both emphasized the importance of leveraging distributed ledger technology to serve evolving client needs and promote liquidity in digital asset markets. The Canton Network’s growing ecosystem, now including over 400 participants, reflects a broader industry shift toward standardized, interoperable blockchain infrastructure for institutional finance.